Sun canopy convertible to a swimming pool cover

ABSTRACT

A canopy to provide shade which converts to a cover for an adjacent swimming pool has a roof hinged to a back; the back is hinged to a base which in turn is hinged for relative rotation to ground securing means. The entire assembly may be pivoted about the ground securing means and extended over the top of a swimming pool to provide a cover for the pool.

United States Patent 11 1 Mischke I 1 Dec. 17, 1974 [22] Filed:

[ SUN CANOPY CONVERTIBLE TO A SWIMMING POOL COVER [76] lnventor: RobertMischke, Middletown, Conn.

June 21, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 372,326

[52] U.S. Cl. 4/l72.1l [51] Int. Cl E04h 3/16, E0411 3/18 [58] Field ofSearch 4/172, 172.11, 172.12,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1959 Murphy ..4/172.1110/1961 Prudek ..4/172.11

3,009,166 11/1961 Sears 41172.11 3,051,964 9/1962 Fisher et a1. 4/1 72113,209,373 10/1965 Meredith et a1. 4/1711 1 Primary Examiner-l-lenry K.Artis Attorney, Agent, or FirmStephen E. Revis 5 7 ABSTRACT A canopy toprovide shade which converts to a cover for an adjacent swimming poolhas a roof hinged to a back; the back is hinged to a base which in turnis hinged for relative rotation to ground securing means. The entireassembly may be pivoted about the ground securing means and extendedover the top of a swimming pool to provide a cover for the pool.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIE SEC 1 7 I974 sum 1 or 2 SUN CANOPYCONVERTIBLE TO A SWIMMING POOL COVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention This invention relates to a sun canopy or awningwhich is convertible to a swimming pool cover.

2. Description of the Prior Art The usefulness of a sun canopy or awningwhich may be converted into a cover for a swimming pool has been wellrecognized as is evidenced by several prior art patents. U.S. Pat. No.2,912,703 to Murphy is one such patent. Murphy shows a roof forproviding shade which is attached to four vertical posts. The bottom endof two of the posts are pivotally secured to the inside wall of aninground swimming pool while the two rearward posts are detachablyconnected to the ground. When the rear posts are detached from theground, the roof may be rotated about the front posts down to groundlevel whereupon it covers the swimming pool.

Murphy has several disadvantages: One disadvantage is that the roof mustbe large enough to cover the entire swimming pool otherwise two suchunits would be required each having a roof half the open area of theswimming pool as might be suggested by Meredith et al, U.S. Pat. No.3,209,373; another disadvantage is that the Murphy apparatus must belocated immediately adjacent the poolside, possibly subjecting its usersto splashing by others using the pool; another serious disadvantage ofMurphy is the fact that it is not adaptable for use with above-groundpools. This latter disadvantage is of particular importance in view .ofthe fact that backyard pools of the above-the-ground type are far andaway the most common type of backyard pool. Prudek, U.S. Pat. No.3,002,195 and Sears, U.S. Pat. No. 3,021,530 are two additional patentsfor combination swimming pool covers and sun shades which are designedfor use with in-ground rather than aboveground pools. In addition, theselatter two patents employ relatively complex and expensive apparatus toaccomplish their purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is animproved sun canopy which is convertible to a swimming pool cover.

A further object of the present invention is a sun can- I opyconvertible to a swimming pool cover which is readily adaptable for usewith either above-ground or in-ground pools.

Another object of the present invention is a sun canopy convertible to aswimming pool cover which is lightweight, uncomplicated, and reasonablein size relative to the area of the pool to be covered.

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a roof portion, backportion and base portion and ground securing portion rotatably linked toeach other so that the roof and back portion may be extended over anadjacent swimming pool to act as a cover therefor when not being used asa sun canopy.

More particularly, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention inits sun canopy mode, a horizontal rectangular roof portion is hinged atits back edge to the top edge of a vertical back portion which is inturn pivotally attached at each bottom corner to a base rod whichextends forwardly from each comer along the ground perpendicular to theback portion. The forwardly extending end of each rod is secured to theground in a manner permitting the rod to rotate about its groundattachment point in a vertical plane. To convert the sun canopy to aswimming pool cover the roof portion is simply pulled forward over theswimming pool; as this is done the base rods pivot about the groundsecuring points permitting the back portion to rotate up and over theground securing points until it is over the pool. Since the roof portionis hinged to the back portion which in turn is hinged to the base rods,the roof and back portion may be made to lie horizontally across the topof a pool. If the pool is an in-ground pool, the base rods would, ofcourse, rotate as they move from the sun canopy position to the swimmingpool cover position. However, if the pool is an above-the-ground poolthe base rods would only be rotated some amount less than 180 so as toposition their rearward ends, which are attached to the lower comers ofthe back portion, to the height of the top of the pool.

In another embodiment of the present invention vertical support rodsfrom the roof to the ground or from the roof to the base rods are usedto maintain the relative positions of the roof portion, back portion,and base rods in their sun canopy mode. These vertical support rods maybe easily detached from the structure to permit the structure to berotated into its swimming pool cover mode.

Some further advantages of the present invention are that is requires nopermanent installation structures, it may be easily tilted out of theway for mowing of a lawn, and it may be quickly and easily disassembledfor winter storage.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent in the light of the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated inthe accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view showingthe invention in its sun canopy mode erected adjacent an above-groundswimming pool.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the invention in its sun canopy modeerected adjacent an above-ground swimming pool, and showing in phantomoutline the invention in its swimming pool cover mode.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the invention in two intermediatepositions, one in solid outline the other in phantom outline, as it isbeing converted from one mode to the other mode.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation view depicting another embodimentof the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Consider, as an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, the convertible sun canopy/swimmingpool cover generally represented by the numeral 10 and hereinafterreferred to as simply the cover 10. The cover 10 is shown positionedadjacent an above-ground swimming pool generally represented by thenumeral 12. It should becomeapparent as this invention is furtherdescribed that the cover 10 is equally suitable for use with anin-ground pool.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover comprises a back panel 14, aroof panel 16, and an extension panel 18. These panels will be coveringthe pool when the cover 10 is in its pool cover mode and they should bemade from materials suitable for the use to which they are intended tobe put. For example, if the cover 10 is to be used as a Winterizing poolcover, the materials should be able to withstand winter weather andshould be able to support accumulations of ice, rain and snow as well asthe weight of a person who might accidentally or intentionally placehimself on the cover. If the cover is intended only for summer use toprevent leaves and large dirt particles from entering the pool and toprevent a small child from accidentally falling into the pool, thenother, less rugged materials may be used. It is this latter use that isexpected to find most application for a device of this type. In thatregard, in this preferred embodiment the panels 14, 16, and 18 are madefrom plastic or vinyl type fabric such as is used for aluminum lawnfurniture, the fabric being stretched and secured to aluminum tubularframing 20 which serves to make the panels rigid, lightweight, and rustproof. The plastic fabric may be secured to the aluminum tubes by anysuitable means, and preferably in a manner similar to the manner inwhich such fabrics are secured to the frames of aluminum lawn furniture.

The roof panel 16 is hinged along its back edge 22 to the top edge 24 ofthe back panel 14 such that the roof panel 16 can pivot with respect tothe back panel 14 about an axis parallel to the back edge 22. The roofpanel 16 should be able to rotate about that axis at least until it isparallel to the back panel 14 such that those two panels can lie flatacross the top of a pool.

In this preferred embodiment the cover 10 includes a pair of base rods26 which are also tubular aluminum,

but which may be made from any suitable material. The

forward end 28 of each rod 26 is secured to the ground by any suitablemeans permitting the rods 26 to rotate about the ground securing pointin a vertical plane. In this embodiment the ground securing means isdesignated by the numeral 30 and is simply a stake which is driven intothe ground and which has a clevis portion which extends above the groundand to which the end 28 of the rod 26 is pinned. The rearward end 32 ofeach rod 26 is hinged to a bottom comer 34 of the back panel 14 by anysuitable means permitting the back panel to rotate with respect to thebase rods. It should be apparent that more than two base rods may beused and that even a rectangular panel rather than rods 26 night be usedto connectthe lower portion of the back panel 14 to the ground securingmeans 30.

Further in this embodiment, support rods 38 are attached to the roofpanel 16 and to the base rods 26 to hold the roof panel 16, the backpanel 14 and the base rods 26 in proper angular relationship. Thesupport rods 38 are herein shown as being pinned into T- joints" 42which are a part of the roof panel 16 and base rods 26. The verticalsupport rods 38 are representative of only one of many ways in which theangular relationship between the roof panel, back panel and base rodsmay be maintained; for example, it may be desirable to simply stake thelower portions 44 into the ground rather than securing them to the baserods 26. It may also be desirable to hinge the ends of the support rods38 to the roof panel 16 so the rods 38 may be swung up under the roofpanel when the cover 10 is in its swimming pool cover mode. Also, it maybe possible to eliminate the support rods 38 by using some type of guidewires secured to the ground or by using suitable hinges between the roofand back panels 16, 14 and between the back panel 14 and base rods 26 tomaintain the relative positions between the panels 16, 14 and the baserods 26. This embodiment also includes an extension panel 18 which issimilar in construction to the roof panel 16 and is hinged at 46 to thefront end of the roof panel 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the method of converting the cover 10 toa swimming pool cover should become apparent. First, the support rods 38are removed by pulling out the pins and sliding them out of the T-joints42. The front edge of the roof panel 16, such as at the hinge 46, isthen pulled toward the swimming pool. The base rods 26 will begin topivot about the ground securing means 30 as indicated in view A (solidlines) of FIG. 3. The base rods 26 continue to rotate as the roofportion 16 is pulled over the top of the pool 12 as shown in the phantomview B of FIG. 3. The extension panel 18 is rotated around the hingepoint 46 until it is resting on the top of the pool 12. The roof panel16 is moved further across the top of the pool 12 until the back panel14 is lying flat across the top of the pool as shown in view C (phantom)of FIG. 2. It should be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the pool 12could be an in-ground pool and still be covered by the cover It) simplyby extending the panels 14, 16, 18 and the base rods 26 until they areparallel with the ground.

It should also be apparent from the foregoing that depending on the sizeof the pool, the extension panel 18 may or may not be required. It iscontemplated that this invention include within its scope a cover 10without an extension panel 18 for use in covering a smaller pool. It canbe seen that the cover 10 of this invention provides a shaded area ofreasonable dimensions while being able to cover a pool of quite largesize. For example, a cover 10 of the type shown in FIGS. 1-3 which is 7feet high, 16 feet wide and 10.5 feet deep would cover the standard 16 X28 foot oval pool.

FIG. 4 is a line drawing depicting how the subject invention may easilybe-adapted for use with an above ground pool 48 having a platform 50 andrailing 52. The cover is here designated by the numeral 54 and includesa roof panel 56, back panel 58, base rods and support rods 62. The onlydifference between this embodiment and the embodiment of FIGS. 13 isthat there is no extension panel and the base rods 60 are bent at 64 andattached to the back panel 58 at 66 which is above the ground. The angleof the bend at 64 permits the rear portion 68 of the base rods 60 to lieflat across the platform 50 as shown in phantom in FIG.

4. Also, the are 70 of travel of the point 66 must clear the top 72 ofthe railing 52 so that the bottom edge of the back panel 58 clears therailing when swung into position. The railing 52 would require smallopening to accommodate the base rods 60.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect topreferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes and omissions in the form and detailthereof may be made therein without departing from the spirit and thescope of the invention. Y

Having thus described typical embodiments of my invention, that which Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

l. A device convertible from a sun canopy mode to a swimming pool covermode comprising:

a roof portion having a rearward edge;

. a back portion having a top edge adjacent said rearward edge, saidback portion being pivotally connected to said roof portion and having alower portion;

base means including a forward end and rearward end said rearward endbeing pivotally connected to said lower portion;

support means attached to said roof portion at least when the device isin the sun canopy mode;

said forward end of said base means adapted to be pivotally secured toground along a horizontal axis which is forward of said back portionwhen the device is in the sun canopy mode, said back portion beingsubstantially vertical in the sun canopy mode and said roof portionextending forwardly therefrom and being supported at an angle withrespect thereto by said support means when the device is in the suncanopy mode, said roof portion, back portion and base means adapted topivot forwardly about said horizontal axis until said roof portion andsaid back portion are forward of said axis and are substantiallyhorizontal for covering a swimming pool.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said roof portion has aforward edge and said device includes an extension panel pivotallyconnected to said forward edge of said roof portion and is adapted torotate relative to said roof portion about an axis parallel to saidforward edge when the device is being converted from one mode to theother mode.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said top means includes aplurality of base rods pivotally connected to said lower portion andadapted to extend from said lower portion to said horizontal axis andadapted to be pivotable about said horizontal axis.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein each of said base rodsincludes a forward portion and a rearward portion, said rearward portionbeing at an angle with respect to said forward portion, said rearwardportion being adapted to lie flat along an above the ground deck of aswimming pool when said device is in the swimming pool cover mode.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein said support means includesmeans for maintaining said back portion substantially vertical when thedevice is in the sun canopy mode.

7. The device according to claim 6 wherein said support means comprisesa plurality of support rods each having a top and bottom end, said topend being secured to said roof portion and said bottom end being securedto said base means, each rod being detachable at at least one endthereof wherein said roof portion, back portion and base means arepivotable about said horizontal axis when said support rod ends aredetached.

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein said top edge is parallel tosaid rearward edge and said back portion is pivotally connected to saidrearward edge.

9. The device according to claim 7 wherein said base means includes aplurality of base rods pivotally connected to said lower portion andadapted to extend from said lower portion to said horizontal axis andadapted to be pivotable about said horizontal axis, said bottom end ofeach support rod being secured to one of said base rods.

10. The device according to claim 7 wherein each rod is detachable atboth ends thereof.

1. A device convertible from a sun canopy mode to a swimming pool covermode comprising: a roof portion having a rearward edge; a back portionhaving a top edge adjacent said rearward edge, said back portion beingpivotally connected to said roof portion and having a lower portion;base means including a forward end and rearward end said rearward endbeing pivotally connected to said lower portion; support means attachedto said roof portion at least when the device is in the sun canopy mode;said forward end of said base means adapted to be pivotally secured toground along a horizontal axis which is forward of said back portionwhen the device is in the sun canopy mode, said back portion beingsubstantially vertical in the sun canopy mode and said roof portionextending forwardly therefrom and being supported at an angle withrespect thereto by said support means when the device is in the suncanopy mode, said roof portion, back portion and base means adapted topivot forwardly about said horizontal axis until said roof portion andsaid back portion are forward of said axis and are substantiallyhorizontal for covering a swimming pool.
 2. The device according toclaim 1 wherein said roof portion has a forward edge and said deviceincludes an extension panel pivotally connected to said forward edge ofsaid roof portion and is adapted to rotate relative to said roof portionabout an axis parallel to said forward edge when the device is beingconverted from one mode to the other mode.
 3. The device according toclaim 1 wherein said top edge is parallel to said rearward edge and saidback portion is pivotally connecteD to said rearward edge.
 4. The deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said base means includes a plurality ofbase rods pivotally connected to said lower portion and adapted toextend from said lower portion to said horizontal axis and adapted to bepivotable about said horizontal axis.
 5. The device according to claim 4wherein each of said base rods includes a forward portion and a rearwardportion, said rearward portion being at an angle with respect to saidforward portion, said rearward portion being adapted to lie flat alongan above the ground deck of a swimming pool when said device is in theswimming pool cover mode.
 6. The device according to claim 1 whereinsaid support means includes means for maintaining said back portionsubstantially vertical when the device is in the sun canopy mode.
 7. Thedevice according to claim 6 wherein said support means comprises aplurality of support rods each having a top and bottom end, said top endbeing secured to said roof portion and said bottom end being secured tosaid base means, each rod being detachable at at least one end thereofwherein said roof portion, back portion and base means are pivotableabout said horizontal axis when said support rod ends are detached. 8.The device according to claim 7 wherein said top edge is parallel tosaid rearward edge and said back portion is pivotally connected to saidrearward edge.
 9. The device according to claim 7 wherein said basemeans includes a plurality of base rods pivotally connected to saidlower portion and adapted to extend from said lower portion to saidhorizontal axis and adapted to be pivotable about said horizontal axis,said bottom end of each support rod being secured to one of said baserods.
 10. The device according to claim 7 wherein each rod is detachableat both ends thereof.